Theirs by John Greenleaf Whittier
This poem is a narrative of a young woman's life and her struggles with poverty and hardship. It explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The speaker describes the woman's early years, her marriage to a sailor, and his eventual death at sea. She is left alone to care for their children, struggling to make ends meet.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Political · 259 words
First lines
I. Fate summoned, in gray-bearded age, to act A history stranger than his written fact, Him who portrayed the splendor and the gloom Of that great hour when throne and altar fell With long death-groan which still is audible. He, when around the walls of Paris rung The Prussian bugle like the blast of doom, And every ill which follows unblest war Maddened all France from Finistere to Var, The weight of fourscore from his shoulders flung, And guided Freedom in the path he saw Lead out of chaos into light and law, Peace, not imperial, but republican, And order pledged to all the Rights of Man.
What this Textopian page supports
Theirs is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Political, Philosophical, Narrative
- Length: 259 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Theirs by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Theirs?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Le Marais Du Cygne by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Ballad by Olive Tilford Dargan
- Follen by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Sonnet by James Weldon Johnson
- Kathleen by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Adjustment by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetic form.
- Historical — The themes revolve around historical events, particularly focusing on freedom and political change.
- Political — The content addresses political themes, including liberty, governance, and the impact of war on society.
- Philosophical — The exploration of concepts such as fate, freedom, and the moral implications of leadership reflects philosophical inquiry.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Romanticism · Love Poem · Ballad · Narrative Poetry · Folklore · Mythology · Symbolism